Many roads across the Upper Peninsula remain treacherous or impassable as a major winter storm continues to create blizzard conditions.
In parts of the central UP, local snow plows are being pulled off the road due to buckets of snow pummeling the region, along with snow drifts and high winds creating low visibility, according to a spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Transportation.
Ongoing blizzard conditions in the central and eastern U.P. will subside from west to east tonight into early Tue morning. While snow and wind diminish overnight the cleanup of the heavy snow, especially on side streets and secondary roads will continue into Tue. #miwx #906wx pic.twitter.com/5PU9cbXRTG
— NWS Marquette (@NWSMarquette) March 16, 2026
As of Monday morning, areas in the central and western Upper Peninsula have accumulated up to 3 feet of snow, with more snow likely on the way.
State and local officials are asking people to stay home and only travel for emergencies.
"As the winds increase coming off of Lake Superior, there's been some significant blowing and drifting of snow along Lake Superior," said Ben Eckola, a public information for the State Police in the UP. "We're seeing the central and eastern UP today as especially going to continue to see snow and the high winds as well."
Earlier today, the Michigan Department of Transportation announced that M-28, connecting Marquette to Munising, is closed to all traffic due to high winds of up to 60 mph along the Lake Superior coast.
M-28 between Kawbawgam Rd and M-94 is closed due to Whiteout conditions. An alternative route is Skandia to Chatham to Munising via US-41 and M-94. pic.twitter.com/OkwEGowaGK
— NWS Marquette (@NWSMarquette) March 16, 2026
Eckola says troopers have responded to several car crashes and vehicles stuck in the road across the UP, but nothing too significant.
"Folks should definitely not go around any barricades if they see either a closed highway or a secondary road, a county road or a city street that has a barricade or an indication that the road is closed," said Dan Weingarten, a communications specialist for MDOT in the UP. "Please do not attempt to go around it."
Weingarten added that local road commissions and state plow trucks are prioritizing clearing roads that are main thoroughfares. He says back roads will be dangerous.
Blizzard warnings remain in effect for the eastern UP and for Cheboygan, Charlevoix, Emmet and Leelanau counties until 8 a.m. tomorrow, according to the National Weather Service. North of the bridge, another 3 to 5 inches is possible. South of the bridge, generally 3 or less inches is expected.
Outside of the blizzard warning area, occasional snow showers are expected. Areas that saw ice overnight could see more trees and powerlines come down as winds remain gusty.
Tom McKee, superintendent of Rudyard Area Schools in the eastern UP said yoopers are used to this kind of weather and people are taking care of neighbors in need.
"I'm looking out my window right now seeing my neighbor from across the street hitting the end of the driveway of one of the elderly people," McKee said on a phone call with WCMU. "So, everybody checks on each other. Everybody takes care of each other. So, it's nice. It's snow, right?"
As of Monday afternoon, around 116,000 utility customers in northern Michigan are without power.
If you or someone you know is in need of shelter, food or a place to get warm during the storm, dial 211 to be connected to someone in your local area who can help.
Mike Horace contributed reporting to this story.
